Smyrna's Living Sand

Smyrna's Living Sand

Like an undulating lace ribbon, the sand separates sea from land…one day the ocean seems to be happy and carefree, lapping lazily at the warm shoreline sands…and then without warning, suddenly angry and cold, ripping apart the precious dunes. Summer's mild currents from the south widen the beach, while winter's vicious nor'easters tear it away again. Most of us are unaware of the seemingly living sands as they shift over the seasons and years…we feel its magic when we're there, leaving footprints and sandcastles while taking only memories.

My wife Pam and I found ourselves experiencing one of those magical times a couple of years ago on New Smyrna Beach. It was a full moon night with starlight dancing among the curling breakers. Laughing together we walked the tide pools, amazed at the glittering green phosphorescence that followed the schools of baitfish…and our footprints as we walked…even the crashing waves glowed as they spilled forward to wash around our toes. As we returned to our blanket and the remnants of our picnic dinner, we were surprised to find several crabs making off with crackers that had been left open (at least they didn't spill our wine!) These Ghost Crabs are beach foragers that normally graze the high tide "wrack" line for tidbits…you can see their burrows all over our beach. It was then that we both became aware of the other "living sand" that we all enjoy…the beach is not just a beautiful ribbon of moving sand…but a rich and diverse ecosystem of numerous plants and animals.

"Sand between your toes" takes on a whole new meaning when you peer into the microscope at the space between the beach sand grains. Miniscule monsters called Tardigrades jump out at you, waving tiny claws in defiance…. polychaete bristleworms glide by the lens as crablike copepods flee from the microscope's bright light. These animals are always there…too small to be noticed, but nevertheless important as a link in the ecosystem chain. As the waves wash over the teeming life in the sand, a whole bevy of creatures burrow and filter the water for food. Mole crabs, commonly called sand fleas, follow the tide's eternal rhythm up and down the swash line. Beautiful coquinas, one of the more than 80 species of Molluscs that live here, also burrow with their muscular foot pulling them under the protective sand. The animals and plants found in the surf…from microscopic plankton to whales and porpoises, are so numerous as to defy imagination…many of them haven't even been described and named by scientists. As these animals perish for one reason or another, they provide food for the birds and fish that also frequent the coastline.

Just like an estuary where fresh water meets salt, or a forest where the trees end and a wetland prairie begins, the point at which two differing physical environments meet hosts an explosion of life. This biological metaphor is consistent throughout nature. As a result of this interaction, intricate and elegant adaptations are seen among the animals and plants that are attracted to these unique areas. Humans are also attracted to these environments…though they don't usually interact in a way that is helpful to the ecosystem; We drive on the beach, we leave our trash there, we shine lights on it at night disrupting natural rhythms, we dig holes, and we pump sand to replenish the beach while smothering its plants and animals in the process. Our beaches are however protected by the same rules that govern wetlands. Our local governments and state agencies are aware of the issues that effect beach wildlife, and they are currently enforcing laws that will hopefully strike an effective balance between human use and natural laws. The answer as always is education…people will respect our beaches and take care of them if they understand the intrinsic value they possess. I highly recommend a book that is a great reference and will help you appreciate what we have here in New Smyrna Beach…it's called "Florida's Living Beaches" and is available at the Marine Discovery Center Bookstore on the North Causeway.

There are lots of local folks who have grown to love and care for our beaches…some of them silently and without fanfare make regular donations to support local organizations dedicated to teaching kids and adults about the wonder and beauty of our natural resources. They do it because they know it's the key to protecting and preserving Smyrna's Living Sands. …til next time. Farley Palmer

farleypalmer@gmail.com

palmerbiologicalservices.com

Marine Discovery Center – New Smyrna Beach - North Causeway

Marine Science Center – Ponce Inlet

University of Florida Master Naturalist Program – Coastal Module

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/smyrna039s-living-sand-1929501.html

I am an environmental consultant living and working in beautiful New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I am an avid reader and outdoorsman, constantly amazed at the beauty and elegance of our natural world. My writing is intended to stimulate readers by presenting environmental ideas and concepts in an entertaining and informative format. Writing is therapeutic to me, as I find myself diving deeper and more emotionally into ideas and issues as I write about them.

palmerbiologicalservices.com